Combined tote-bag, seat cushion, blanket

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose device capable of assuming a plurality of configurations, including a first configuration suitable for use as a tote-bag or single-person seat-cushion, a second configuration suitable for use as a two-person seat cushion, and a third configuration suitable for use as a blanket or cape. The device includes a soft body, a first strap and optional second strap on the soft body, and a first fastener assembly and an optional second fastener assembly on the soft body, such as a zipper(s), for retaining the device in the first configuration.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose device capable ofassuming a plurality of configurations such that the device can be usedas a tote-bag, a seat cushion, a blanket, and/or a cape.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The contents of each U.S. patent or other reference, if any, cited inthis application, are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In today's fast paced and sometimes hectic business and recreationalenvironments individuals continue to look for devices that simplifytheir lives. Typically, a multi-purpose device satisfies the need forsimplicity and efficiency by performing multiple tasks with a singleinstrument, for example, tasks that would typically take more than onedevice to perform. By way of example, the well known Swiss Army knifemay contain various cutting tools, utensils, and a tooth pick. Inaddition, high-technology has combined a camera with a wristwatch in aconvenient package, and has combined calendars, phone books, and to-dolists in a single hand-held computer, such as personal digitalassistants.

Each aforementioned multi-purpose device is capable of performing morethan one task. Some multi-purpose devices, such as the Swiss Army knife,function to assist, for example, a camper, hiker, or world traveler,thus eliminating the need for additional equipment that can be bulky,cumbersome to handle, and inefficient. Similarly, individuals attendingsporting events, planning a picnic or beach outing, or similar activitywhich may require a person to carry multiple items, such as foodproducts, blankets, and sitting devices, among other things, wouldbenefit from a device capable of serving multiple functions.

Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-purpose device capable of beingconverted into a plurality of configurations such that the device can beused in activities which may require a person to carry multiple items,sitting surfaces, and/or blankets, among other things.

SUMMARY

A multi-purpose device, which is provided to attempt to reduce the needof people to carry a more than one object is described. Themulti-purpose device is capable of assuming a plurality ofconfigurations including a first configuration, a second configuration,and a third configuration. Each configuration of the device may be usedfor a different purpose or purposes. For example, the device is capableof being configured as a tote-bag, a seat cushion, and a blanket. Thedevice preferably includes a soft body, a first handle and an optionalsecond handle coupled to the soft body, and a first fastener assemblyand optionally a second fastener assembly, such as a zipper(s), forretaining the device in the first configuration.

In the first configuration the soft body is arranged to have first andsecond sidewalls and a bottom surface (the bottom surface may be formedsimply by the connection of the first and second sidewalls at the bottomof the multi-purpose device) which together define an interiorcompartment. The interior compartment has inner surfaces and an opentop. The first fastener assembly is positioned along a length of thefirst and second sidewalls such that when retaining the device in thefirst configuration, approximately equal portions of the soft body areon opposite sides of the interior compartment. The first handle isattached to a sidewall of the soft body when the device is in the firstconfiguration. A second configuration is formed by releasing the firstfastener assembly and expanding the soft body whereby the interiorcompartment is eliminated. By expanding the soft body, a sittingsurface, such as a seat cushion, is formed. By expanding the soft bodyin the second configuration, a third configuration is obtained to form asubstantially flat surface, which may be a blanket. In certainembodiments of the device, first and second handles are provided on asurface of the device in the third configuration, and are located inpositions to accommodate a person's arms whereby the device can be usedas a cape or other covering for the person.

The present invention may be used by providing the multi-purpose device,forming the first configuration suitable for use as a tote-bag, formingthe second configuration suitable for use as a seat cushion, and formingthe third configuration suitable for use as a blanket. A method may alsoinclude using the device as a cape, which may be achieved by configuringthe soft body in the third configuration.

The present invention thus provides a device capable of being convertedinto a plurality of configurations such that the device can be used as atote-bag, a seat cushion, a blanket and/or a cape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a multi-purpose devicein accordance with the present invention, showing a first configuration.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the first configuration of FIG. 1 beingcarried by a person.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first configuration of FIG. 1,configured for use a seat cushion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose device of FIG. 1,showing a second configuration suitable for use as a seat cushion.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the multi-purpose device of FIG. 1showing a third configuration.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the third configuration of the deviceof FIG. 3A in use as a blanket.

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate a converting sequence of the device of FIG. 1from a first configuration to a second configuration to a thirdconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using a multi-purposedevice in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate another converting sequence of the device of FIG.1 from a first configuration to a second configuration to a thirdconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the multi-purpose device 5 of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Generally, the present invention is capableof assuming a plurality of configurations including a firstconfiguration, a second configuration, and a third configuration suchthat the device can be used as a tote-bag, a seat cushion or cushions,and/or a blanket. As discussed herein, the device 5 can also assume afourth configuration such that the device can be used as a cape.Accordingly, the device 5 enables a person to carry multiple items,including seat cushions and a blanket, in a single device.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multi-purpose device 5 includes a softbody 10, a first handle 15 on the soft body 10, and a first fastenerassembly 20 for retaining the device 5 in a first configuration. In thefirst configuration, the soft body 10 is arranged to have a bottom 30and sidewalls 35A and 35B which together define outer walls and aninterior compartment 55. The interior compartment has inner surfaces andan open top. In other words, the device 5 includes a first sidewall,such as sidewall 35 a, and a second sidewall, such as sidewall 35 b,which are generally opposed to each other. Each sidewall 35 a and 35 bhas a length 351 and a width 35 w. The bottom surface 30 joins the firstsidewall 35 a and the second sidewall 35 b along the width 35 w. Thedevice 5 includes a handle 15 coupled to one of the sidewalls. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, handle 15 is coupled to sidewall 35 b. Thefastener assembly 20 is located along the length 351 of the firstsidewall 35 a and the second sidewall 35 b. When the fastener assembly20 is in a “closed” configuration, as illustrated, the fastener assembly20 joins the first sidewall 35 a to the second sidewall 35 b therebyforming the interior compartment 55 of the tote-bag. Or, stateddifferently, first sidewall 35 a and second sidewall 35 b surround theinterior compartment 55 when the fastener assembly 20 is closed.

In reference to the disclosure herein, the term “first configuration”refers to a configuration of the device where the device is used as atote-bag, which may be used to store and/or carry items, such as,cosmetics, food, electronics, clothes, office supplies, readingmaterials, personal items, and other portable goods. An example of thefirst configuration of the device 5 is shown in FIG. 1A.

As used herein, the term “second configuration” refers to aconfiguration where the device is modified or adjusted from the firstconfiguration to form a surface, such as a sitting surface or a seatcushion. The surface in the second configuration is preferablysubstantially flat, e.g., it provides a relatively flat surface suitablefor sitting. However, persons of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that, by its very nature, a substantially flat surface suchas a blanket will typically have bumps, ripples, tucks, or various othervariances that place the blanket in a somewhat less than perfectly flatarrangement. An example of the second configuration is illustrated inFIG. 2. As illustrated in the figures, the second configuration may beobtained by unfolding the tote-bag.

In addition, the term “third configuration” refers to a configuration ofthe device 5 where it is used as a blanket or sheet, which may also be asitting surface. As illustrated in the figures, the third configurationmay be obtained by unfolding or otherwise expanding the device from itssecond configuration. Typically, and in the illustrated embodiment, thethird configuration is the configuration in which the device iscompletely unfolded or extended. An example of the third configurationis illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. However, in other embodiments,the third configuration can include one or more folded portions so thatthe tote-bag is not completely unfolded.

The “fourth configuration”, as used herein, refers to an optionalconfiguration of the device in which it is configured to be used as acape, which may be worn by a person. The fourth configuration is similarto the third configuration illustrated in FIG. 3A, but the handles 15and 40 are positioned to accommodate a person's arms so that the devicecan be wrapped around the person and/or cover at least a portion of theperson, such as the person's back.

Referring back to the figures, the device 5 is configured such that whenthe first sidewall 35 a is separated from the second sidewall 35 b toform the second configuration, the first and second sidewalls define afirst substantially flat sitting surface 60, as shown in FIG. 2. Thefirst substantially flat sitting surface 60 has an area that is greaterthan the area of the first sidewall 35 a or the second sidewall 35 b. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the area of the first substantially flatsitting surface 60 has an area that is approximately double the area ofeither the first sidewall 35 a or the second sidewall 35 b. However, inadditional embodiments, the area of the first substantially flat sittingsurface 60 may be smaller or larger, but is still greater than the areaof either sidewall. As shown in FIG. 2, the substantially flat sittingsurface 60 has an area that is dimensioned to support two people sittingon the substantially flat sitting surface 60. As one example, thesubstantially flat sitting surface 60 has a length of approximatelytwenty-seven inches, and a width of approximately twelve inches.However, the substantially flat sitting surface 60 may have otherdimensions as well.

When the device 5 is configured in a third configuration, such as shownin FIG. 3A, the first sidewall 35 a and the second sidewall 35 b of thesecond configuration are extended, such as by unfolding layers of thesidewalls, to form a second sitting surface 65. The second sittingsurface 65 has an area that is greater than the area of the firstsubstantially flat sitting surface 60 illustrated in FIG. 2. Inaddition, because the third configuration includes configurations wherethe tote-bag 5 has been completely unfolded, certain embodiments of thetote-bag will have a second sitting surface 65, which comprises a singlelayer of material having a first surface and an opposing second surface,as discussed herein. In one specific embodiment, the length of thesecond sitting surface 65 is approximately sixty-five inches, and thewidth is approximately forty-eight inches. It is understood that thesurface 65 may have other dimensions.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the first sidewall 35 a and the secondsidewall 35 b of the device 5 may include a plurality of layers, such aslayers 39 a, 39 b, 39 c, and 39 d resulting from the foldedconfiguration of the device 5. In addition, each layer 39 a, 39 b, 39 c,and 39 d may include one or more additional layers (not shown). In oneembodiment, and as illustrated, the combined layers 39 a and 39 b definesidewall 35 a, and comprise a total of seven layers. As will be apparentfrom the disclosure herein, the number of layers for a sidewall will bedependent on the particular folding pattern used to form the device 5 inthe first configuration, among other things. As will be appreciated fromthe disclosure herein, using a plurality of layers to form sidewalls 35a and 35 b provides cushioning to the device 5 when it assumes itssecond configuration. The plurality of layers also provide cushioningwhen the device 5 is used in its first configuration as a seat cushion,as shown in FIG. 1B.

The sidewalls 35 a and 35 b are folded, as shown in FIG. 1, to form thefirst configuration of the device 5 having a bottom surface 30 that isintegrally formed with the first and second sidewalls. In other words,in the illustrated embodiment, bottom surface 30 includes the foldedmaterial of the first and second sidewalls 35A and 35B, respectivelyafter they are folded towards each other. In other embodiments, aseparate piece of material may be located adjacent the bottom edges ofthe first and second sidewalls to form a bottom surface, similar tobottom surface 30, but that is not integrally formed with the sidewalls.For example, a piece of material may be sewn or otherwise attached tosidewalls 35 a and 35 b to form the bottom surface 30.

Optionally, the first sidewall 35 a and the second sidewall 35 b areconstructed of padded material, which may be helpful in providingenhanced comfort to people who use the device 5 as a sitting surface, asdiscussed herein. In addition, and/or alternatively, the first sidewalland the second sidewall may be constructed of a thermal insulatingmaterial, which may be effective to maintain the temperature of certaingoods contained in the interior compartment 55. For example, if coldproducts or other perishables, such as refrigerated goods or frozenitems, are being carried in the tote-bag, the thermal insulatingmaterial is effective to keep the cold products cold. Similarly, if hotproducts are being carried in the tote-bag, the thermal insulatingmaterial is effective keep the hot products hot. The thermal insulatingmaterial may or may not be padded.

Accordingly, the soft body 10 may be constructed with materials such ascanvas (nylon or other textile) or other durable material alone or incombination with a flannel, cotton, or other soft material. As describedherein, the use of different material types may enhance use of themulti-purpose device 5 as a tote-bag, seat cushion, and blanket. In oneembodiment, the soft body 10 may be constructed with a thermal insultingmaterial positioned and contained between an outer layer of materialsuch as canvas and/or cotton. Thermal insulting material may be of asimilar type that is used commonly in known soft cooler/lunch bags. Inaddition, thermal insulating materials may include pockets of gas, suchas air, or pockets of liquids, such as water, which may provide thedesired thermal benefits described herein.

The illustrated device 5 also includes a handle 15 attached to sidewall35 b. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 15 includes a first end 15 aand a second end 15 b. The handle 15 is attached to the sidewall 35 b atthe first end 15 a and at the second end 15 b, as shown in FIG. 1. Incertain embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in the figures, thedevice 5 includes a first handle 15, and a second handle 40. The firsthandle 15 is illustrated as being attached to sidewall 35 b, and thesecond handle 40 is illustrated as being attached to sidewall 35 a.Typically, the handles 15 and 40 are constructed of nylon, leather,canvas, or other suitable material. Handles 15 and 40 are preferablyconstructed of flexible materials, but in certain embodiments, thehandles may be constructed of rigid materials, such as plastics and thelike. Attachment of the handles to the soft body 10 may be accomplishedthrough various methods including stitching, VELCRO, rivets, buttons orsimilar suitable techniques.

Typically, when in the first configuration, the first handle 15 and thesecond handle 40 are attached to either the interior or exteriorsurfaces of opposite sidewalls 35 a and 35 b of the soft body 10.Alternatively, the first handle 15 and second handle 40 may be attachedsuch that opposite ends of each handle 15 and 40 are attached toopposite supporting sidewalls 35 a and 35 b of the soft body 10. In thismanner, the handles 15 and 40 would extend across the open top of theinterior compartment. In such embodiments, the handles may include areleasing mechanism associated with the first end or second end of thehandles, which facilitate unfolding of the device.

On the other hand, when in the first configuration, a single handle maybe used. For example, the first handle 15 may be positioned on the softbody 10 where it is attached to opposite supporting sides 35A and 35B.

The device 5 may optionally include a pocket, such as pocket 45, locatedon one or both of the sideways. The pocket 45 is effective to permitadditional items to be carried with the device in its firstconfiguration without providing noticeable irregularities when thedevice is positioned in the second or third configurations. Typically,the pocket 45 is constructed of the same type material that is used toconstruct the exterior surface of the sidewalls 35A and 35B. Attachmentof the pocket 45 to the soft body 10 may be accomplished through variousmethods including stitching, VELCRO, rivets, buttons or similar suitabletechniques.

The device 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a fastener assembly 20located along the length of the first sidewall 35 a and the secondsidewall 35 b. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 5, a firstfastener assembly 20 and a second fastener assembly 50 are provided onopposite edges of the first sidewall 35 a and the second sidewall 35 b.The fastener assemblies 20 and 50 are spaced apart from each other in aparallel configuration, and each has a first end 20 a, 50 a and a secondend 20 b, 50 b. The first ends 20 a and 50 a are located on oppositesides of handle 40, and the second ends 20 b and 50 b are located onopposite sides of handle 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, fastener assemblies 20 and 50 are zippersextending along the length of the sidewalls of the device 5. The zippersmay include teeth, as illustrated, or may be smooth, such as zippers forresealable plastic bags that are commonly available, such as with ZIPLOCbags. In additional embodiments not illustrated, the fastener assembliesmay include one or more fastener elements. Examples of fastener elementsinclude, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, such asVELCRO, button and hole fasteners, tie and hole fasteners, tiefasteners, and snap fasteners.

In still additional embodiments, a fastener assembly may be providedalong the width 35 w of the sidewalls 35 a and 35 b, for example at theopening of the interior compartment 55, thereby providing a closure tothe interior compartment 55. Although fastener assemblies 20 and 50 areboth illustrated as being the same type of assembly, additionalembodiments of the device may have fastener assemblies that aredifferent, for example, one fastener assembly may be a zipper, and onemay be a series of VELCRO strips. Other combinations are also includedwithin present invention. When the fastener assemblies include one ormore fastener elements, the location of each of the elements isdetermined such that the arrangement of fastener elements forms afastener assembly similarly configured to the fastener assemblies 20 and50 of the illustrated embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the device 5 may be carried by the handles 15 and40. The inner compartment 55 is dimensioned to accommodate a pluralityof different of products, as discussed above.

When the interior compartment 55 is empty, the device in its firstconfiguration may be used as a seat cushion, as shown in FIG. 1B. Thehandle(s) 15 and/or 40 may be tucked into the interior compartment 55when the multi-purpose device 5 is used in this manner. Additionalbenefits may be realized if the first configuration is partiallyconstructed of insulating material, foam, or other padding type materialwhich would provide the user with an additional level of comfort whilesitting on the multi-purpose device 5. Typically, the size of the seatcushion, and hence the size of the device 5 in the first configurationis sufficient to accommodate a single person who sits on the seatcushion.

When the tote-bag is expanded, such as by unfolding the sidewalls 35 aand 35 b, as discussed herein, the second configuration of the device 5is obtained, as shown in FIG. 2. As indicated herein, typically, thesize of the device 5 in the second configuration when the device 5 isused as a seat cushion is sufficient to accommodate a plurality ofpeople sitting thereon.

When the device 5 is expanded from the second configuration, the thirdconfiguration is obtained, as shown in FIG. 3A. The third configurationhas a size to accommodate a plurality of people, who may either sit onthe device 5 or lay on the device, as shown in FIG. 3B. In the thirdconfiguration, the surface with the fastener assemblies 20 and 50, andthe handles 15 and 40, such as the first surface 70, will typically beplaced toward the ground when sat upon or away from the person's bodywhen used as a blanket such that the second surface 75 is in contactwith a person's body.

In the third configuration, a person may lift the device 5 and placehis/her arms through one or both of the handles 15 and 40 to hold thesoft body 5 more securely to the person's body. In this capacity, thesoft body 10 has assumed a fourth configuration where the device may beused or worn as a cape or outer garment for protection fromenvironmental conditions such as rain, wind, or cold.

One example of an expanding or converting sequence of the device 5 fromthe various configurations is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4G. FIG. 4Arepresents the soft body 10 in the first configuration, FIG. 4Brepresents the soft body 10 in the second configuration, and FIG. 4Grepresents the soft body 10 in the third configuration. As shown in thecontinued sequence of FIGS. 4A through 4G, conversion of the soft bodyfrom one configuration to another configuration is typicallyaccomplished by extending or unfolding the soft body 10. As describedherein, converting from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration typically requires releasing the first fastener assembly20 and/or second fastener assembly 50, if used, and expanding the softbody whereby the interior compartment is vitiated.

Another expanding sequence is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6A illustrates thedevice 5 in its first configuration. The sidewalls 35 a and 35 b of thetote-bag are opened, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6A to providethe second configuration illustrated in FIG. 6B. From the secondconfiguration of FIG. 6B, flaps 36 a and 36 b may be opened as indicatedby the arrows to obtain the configuration of FIG. 6C. The configurationof FIG. 6C is an intermediate configuration between the secondconfiguration and the final configuration. Even though the configurationof FIG. 6E is typically the “third configuration, the configuration ofFIG. 6C may also be viewed as a third configuration, in view of thedisclosure herein. The configuration of FIG. 6C has an upper flap 37which may be opened to obtain the configuration of FIG. 6D. Similar tothe configuration of FIG. 6C, the configuration of FIG. 6D is anintermediate configuration between the second configuration and thefinal configuration, but the configuration of FIG. 6D may also be viewedas a third configuration. From FIG. 6D, flaps 38 a and 38 b may beopened to obtain the configuration of FIG. 6E, which shows the device 5with the sitting surface 65 being an upper surface 70. In this thirdconfiguration, the device may be used as a blanket or sheet for sittingor laying on the ground, among other things, and as shown in FIG. 3B.

Accordingly, in another embodiment of the present invention, themulti-purpose device 5 includes a soft body 10 having a first surface 70and a generally opposing second surface 75, as shown in FIG. 3A. In viewof the disclosure herein, first surface 70 is the same as the secondsitting surface 65. The soft body further has a first end edge 80 a anda second end edge 80 b, which is spaced apart from the first end edge 80a. The soft body 10 also has a first side edge 85 a and a second sideedge 85 b. The first side edge 85 a and the second side edge 85 b extendfrom the first end edge 80 a towards the second end edge 80 b. In theillustrated embodiment, the soft body 10 is rectangularly shaped, andaccordingly, the first side edge 85 a and the second side edge 85 bextend from the first end edge 80 a to the second end edge 80 b. In thisembodiment, the soft body 10 has an area that is greater than an area ofthe sidewalls of the device 5 in its first configuration. Although theillustrated embodiment in the third configuration is a rectangle, otherembodiments of the invention include other geometric shapes, includingbut not limited to squares, hexagons, octagons, and other polygons, aswell as circles and ovals or ellipses.

The fastener assembly 20 is located on the first surface 70. Thefastener assembly has a first end 20 a and a second end 20 b, asdiscussed herein. The fastener assembly also includes a central region20 c disposed between the first end 20 a and the second end 20 b. In theillustrated embodiment, the central region 20 c is located substantiallyalong a midline of the soft body 10, such as midline 10 m. The device 5is illustrated as including a handle located in proximity to the firstend of the fastener assembly 20. More specifically, the handle 40 islocated in proximity to the first ends 20 a and 50 a of fastenerassemblies 20 and 50, respectively, and the handle 15 is located inproximity to the second ends 20 b and 50 b of fastener assemblies 20 and50, respectively. By positioning the fastener assemblies 20 and 50 incertain locations of surface 70, a fastener assembly is located onopposing edges of the sidewalls of the tote bag in the firstconfiguration, and the fastener assemblies are located on an outer edgeof the soft body in the second configuration, and the fastenerassemblies are spaced away from the edges of the soft body in the thirdconfiguration. As discussed herein, the soft body 10 has a length and awidth, generally defined by first and second side edges 85 a or 85 b andfirst and second end edges 80 a or 80 b, respectively. The fastenerassembly 20 is located a distance from the first side edge 85 a adistance approximately equal to one-quarter the width of the soft body10. Similarly, the fastener assembly 50 is located a distance from firstside edge 85 a a distance approximately equal to one-half of the widthof the soft body 10. The fastener assemblies 20 and 50 are oriented in agenerally parallel configuration. The fastener assemblies areillustrated as being parallel to each other, as well as being parallelto the first and second side edges 85 a and 85 b.

Positioning of the fastener assemblies 20 and 50 substantially parallelto each other facilitates retaining of the device 5 in the firstconfiguration as opposite sides 35A and 35B of the soft body 10 aredrawn together. In one embodiment which is provided by way of exampleand not limitation, the first end 20 a of the first fastener assembly20, such as a first zipper, is positioned approximately eleven inchesfrom the first side edge 85 a of the soft body 10, and the first end 50a of the second fastener assembly 50, such as a second zipper ispositioned approximately eleven inches from the first end 20 a of thefirst fastener assembly 20. In other words, first end 20 a is positioneda distance “x” from first side edge 85 a , and first end 50 a ispositioned a distance “y” from the first end 20 a. In the illustratedembodiment, “y” is approximately equal to “2x”. In addition, in thedevice illustrated in FIG. 3A, both fastener assemblies 20 and 50 aregenerally located in a region of the device that has an area that isapproximately one-half of the area of the first surface 70. However,additional embodiments may include fastener assemblies in otherpositional configurations on surface 70.

Alternatively, the multi-purpose device 5 may include a single fastenerassembly (not shown) positioned in a substantially H-shape such that thesingle zipper would similarly retain the device 5 in the firstconfiguration. In this arrangement the single fastener assembly, such asa zipper, would retain the first configuration in a continuousuninterrupted fashion. Once retained, the interior compartment 55 of thesoft body 10 may be used to store and/or carry various items including,as shown in FIG. 1A, suntan lotion, an electronic device, and a sunvisor, to name just a few, and as discussed herein.

As described herein, the device 5 is converted from one configuration toanother configuration by expanding and/or contracting the soft body 10,i.e., folding and/or unfolding. When folding the soft body 10 into thefirst configuration, portions of the soft body 10 are accumulated andretained to form each of the sidewalls 35A and 35B. The first fastenerassembly 20 is positioned on the soft body 10 such that when retainingthe device 5 is in the first configuration, approximately equal portionsof the soft body 10 are positioned on opposite sidewalls 35A and 35B ofthe interior compartment. In other words, as best shown in FIG. 2, whenthe device 5 is in the first configuration, the sidewalls 35A and 35B ofthe device 5 have soft material accumulated to form substantiallysymmetrical sidewalls 35A and 35B. Items to be carried or contained maybe placed between the folds or layers, such as layers 39A, 39B, 39C, and39D that form the supporting sides 35A and 35B. Alternatively, items maybe placed between the folds of the supporting sides 35A and 35B toseparate various items from each other.

As described herein, various materials used in the construction on thesoft body 5 may provide different benefits to the user. For example, aflannel or heavy cotton type material on one side of the soft body 10provides insulation when the soft body 5 is used as a blanket or cape,and protection from rain when water repellent material is used on theother side of the soft body 10. Converting the soft body 5 from thefirst configuration to the third configuration is typically accomplishedby extending or unfolding the soft body 10.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrating a method of using amulti-purpose device in accordance with the present invention is shown.For convenience, the method described herein begins by forming the firstconfiguration. Alternatively, the method described herein may beutilized with the soft body 10 in any physical state by beginning at astep most nearly associated with the current state of the soft body 10.Furthermore, the continuation, or interruption of step(s) once startedis entirely dependent upon the soft body's initial configuration and theuser's desired final physical configuration of the soft bag 10.Therefore, although the method of the present invention is illustratedherein with steps occurring in a certain order, the specific order ofthe steps, or any continuation or interruption between steps, is notrequired.

The process begins at step 500. At step 510, a soft body 10 as describedherein is provided. A manufacturer, distributor, or other third partymay supply the soft body 10. In this respect, “providing” themulti-purpose device 5 is intended to refer to the fact that such adevice 5 is in fact present for use with the method, and so the device 5may also be provided by the actual user thereof.

At step 520, a method of transforming a multi-purpose device begins byforming the first configuration suitable for use as a tote-bag.Formation of the first, second, and third configuration is bestillustrated in FIGS. 4A-4G and FIGS. 6A-6E. Thus, the term “forming”typically corresponds to an expanding/contracted or a folding/unfoldingof the soft body 10. As described herein, in the first configuration thesoft body 10 is arranged, i.e., folded, to have a bottom and sidewallswhich together define outer walls and an interior compartment. Theinterior compartment has inner surfaces and an open top. The fastenerassemblies 20 and/or 50, typically a zipper(s), are used to retain thedevice in the first configuration such that approximately equal portionsof the soft body 10 are on opposite sides of the interior compartment.

At step 530, a second configuration suitable for use as a seat cushionis formed. The second configuration, as shown in FIG. 4B, is typicallyformed by releasing the fastener assembly (zipper, snaps, buttons, etc.)and drawing the supporting sides away from each other such that theinterior compartment is vitiated.

At step 540, a third configuration suitable for use a blanket is formed.As described herein and shown in FIG. 4G, the third configuration ispreferably formed by fully expanding the soft body 10 to form asubstantially flat surface. Alternatively, as shown in each of the FIGS.4C through 4F, the soft body 10 may be considered to be in asubstantially flat arrangement. Therefore, in each of the FIGS. 4Cthrough 4F, the soft body 10 may also be utilized as a blanket albeit asmaller blanket than that represent by the third configuration of FIG.4G. Optionally, the method may include an additional step of receiving aperson's arms so that the device may be used as a cape.

As previously described herein, the specific order of the steps is notrequired. For example, when the multi-purpose device 5 is in the secondconfiguration (step 530), the user may prefer to form the firstconfiguration (step 520) instead of forming the third configuration(step 540).

While certain embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and aredescribed herein, including preferred embodiments, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments describedherein may be modified without departing from the inventive conceptsdescribed. Accordingly, Applicant's invention as described herein is notto be restricted, except in accordance with the law by the claims whichfollow.

1. A multi-purpose device capable of being converted into a plurality ofconfigurations including a first configuration, a second configuration,and a third configuration, the device comprising: a first sidewallhaving a length and a width; a substantially opposed second sidewallhaving a length and a width; a bottom surface joining the first sidewallto the second sidewall along the widths of the sidewalls; a handleattached to the first sidewall; and a first fastener assembly locatedalong the lengths of the first and second sidewalls; wherein in thefirst configuration, the first fastener assembly joins the firstsidewall to the second sidewall thereby forming an interior compartmentof a tote bag; wherein in the second configuration, the first fastenerassembly is unfastened and the first sidewall is rotated away from thesecond sidewall to form a first substantially flat surface having anarea greater than an area of either the first sidewall or the secondsidewall; and wherein in the third configuration, at least one of thefirst sidewall and the second sidewall are extended, thereby forming asecond surface having an area greater than the area of the firstsubstantially flat surface.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstsidewall comprises a plurality of layers of a soft body, and the secondsidewall comprises a plurality of layers of the soft body.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising a pocket located on the first sidewall.4. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is integrallyformed with the first and second sidewalls.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the handle includes a first end and a second end, and the handleis attached to the first sidewall at the first end and at the secondend.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second handleattached to the second sidewall.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst fastener assembly has a first end and a second end, and furthercomprising a second fastener assembly having a first end and a secondend, and being parallel to the first fastener assembly, and wherein thehandle is attached to the first sidewall at an area located between thefirst end of the first fastener assembly and the first end of the secondfastener assembly.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastenerassembly comprises a zipper.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstfastener assembly comprises a fastener selected from the groupconsisting of hook and loop fasteners, button and hole fasteners, tieand hole fasteners, and snap fasteners.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein the first fastener assembly is located on an edge of the firstsidewall, and further comprising a second fastener assembly located onan opposite edge of the first sidewall.
 11. The device of claim 1,wherein the first fastener assembly is also located along the width ofthe first sidewall at an opening of the interior compartment.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewallcomprise a padded material.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstsidewall and the second sidewall comprise a thermal insulating material.14. The device of claim 1, wherein in the first configuration, the firstsidewall and the second sidewall each have seven layers.
 15. The deviceof claim 14, wherein in the second configuration, the firstsubstantially flat surface has forms a seating area sized to support twopeople sitting on the first substantially flat surface.
 16. The deviceof claim 14, wherein the second surface of the third configurationcomprises a single layer.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceis further adapted to be converted into a fourth configuration, thefourth configuration being a cape.
 18. The device of claim 17,comprising two handles located on the second surface in the thirdconfiguration and spaced apart to accommodate arms of a person.
 19. Amultipurpose device capable of being converted into a plurality ofconfigurations including a first configuration, a second configuration,and a third configuration, the device comprising: a soft body having afirst surface, a second surface generally opposing the first surface, afirst end edge, and a second end edge spaced apart from the first endedge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the first and secondside edges extending from the first end edge toward the second end edgeof the soft body, and an area greater than an area of a sidewall of thedevice in the first configuration; a fastener assembly located on thefirst surface, the fastener assembly having a first end, a second endspaced apart from the first end, and a central region located betweenthe first end and second end of the fastener assembly, the centralregion located substantially along a midline of the soft body; and ahandle attached to the soft body at a location in proximity to the firstend of the fastener assembly, wherein in the first configuration, thefastener assembly is located on opposing edges of a sidewall and joins afirst sidewall to a second sidewall thereby forming an interiorcompartment of a tote bag, wherein in the second configuration, thefastener assembly is unfastened and is located on an outer edge of thesoft body; and wherein in the third configuration, the fastener assemblyis spaced away from the edges of the soft body.
 20. The device of claim19, wherein the soft body, in a completely unfolded configuration, isrectangular.
 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the first end of thefastener assembly is spaced away from the first end edge of the softbody, and the second end of the fastener assembly is spaced away fromthe second end edge of the soft body.
 22. The device of claim 19,wherein the soft body has a width, and the fastener assembly is locateda distance from the first side edge of the soft body approximately equalto one-quarter of the width of the soft body.
 23. The device of claim19, wherein the soft body has a width, and the fastener assembly islocated a distance from the first side edge of the soft bodyapproximately equal to one-half of the width of the soft body.
 24. Thedevice of claim 19, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a zipper.25. The device of claim 19, wherein the fastener assembly comprises afastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners,button and hole fasteners, tie and hole fasteners, and snap fasteners.26. The device of claim 19, comprising a first fastener assembly and asecond fastener assembly located on the first surface so that the firstfastener assembly and the second fastener assembly are parallel to eachother.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the first fastener assemblyand the second fastener assembly are parallel to the first side edge andsecond side edge of the soft body.
 28. The device of claim 26, whereinthe handle is attached to the first surface of the soft body between thefirst end of the first fastener assembly and the first end of the secondfastener assembly.
 29. The device of claim 19, comprising a first handleand a second handle, wherein the first handle is attached in proximityto the first end of the fastener assembly, and the second handle isattached to the soft body in proximity to the second end of the fastenerassembly.
 30. The device of claim 19, wherein the soft body issubstantially flat.
 31. A method for transforming a multi-purpose deviceinto a plurality of configurations including a tote-bag, a seat cushion,and a blanket, the method comprising the steps: providing amulti-purpose device capable of being converted into a plurality ofconfigurations including a first configuration, a second configuration,and a third configuration, the device comprising: a soft body; a firsthandle on the soft body; and a first fastener assembly, wherein in thefirst configuration the soft body is arranged to have a bottom andsidewalls which together define outer walls and an interior compartment,the interior compartment having inner surfaces and an open top, whereinthe first fastener assembly is positioned on the soft body such thatwhen retaining the device in the first configuration, approximatelyequal portions of the soft body are on opposite sides of the interiorcompartment, wherein the first handle is attached to a sidewall of thesoft body when the device is in the first configuration, wherein thesecond configuration is formed by unfastening the first fastenerassembly and expanding the soft body whereby the interior compartment iseliminated; wherein in the third configuration the soft body is fullyexpanded to form a substantially flat surface, forming the firstconfiguration suitable for use as a tote-bag; forming the secondconfiguration suitable for use as a seat cushion; and forming the thirdconfiguration suitable for use as a blanket.
 32. The method of claim 31,further comprising placing the device on a person for use as a cape.